Moving from Durham, NC to Greensboro, NC
It is a 57 mi drive, roughly 1h 14m, between Durham, NC and Greensboro, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
57 mi Β· 1h 14m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 85, NC 86 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Winston Salem, High Point, Cary, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Greensboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Greensboro -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Greensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 45.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, GREENSBORO WTP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Greensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 298,564 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $58,884 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.46 |
Greensboro households earn about 4.8% less than Durham at the median β $79,234 β $58,884 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greensboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Greensboro compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Greensboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 57 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Greensboro compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,428 in Greensboro vs $396,395 in Durham β a 33.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Greensboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,884 in Greensboro vs $79,234 in Durham β a 25.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Greensboro more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greensboro is 4.8% lower than Durham (92.865 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Greensboro, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 57 mi and the route typically takes 1h 14m via I 40 and I 85. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Greensboro, NC.